Vehicles: Road Usage Charge Technical Advisory Committee., the official text

An act to add Section 3092.7 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

Existing law requires the Chair of the California Transportation Commission to create a Road Usage Charge Technical Advisory Committee in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation to guide the development and evaluation of a pilot program assessing the potential for mileage-based revenue collection as an alternative to the gas tax system. Existing law additionally requires the Transportation Agency, in consultation with the commission, to implement the pilot program, as specified. Existing law repeals these provisions on January 1, 2027.
This bill would require the commission, in consultation with the Transportation Agency, to consolidate and prepare research and recommendations related to a road user charge or a mileage-based fee system. The bill would require the commission to submit a report, as specified, on the research and recommendations described above to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature by no later than January 1, 2027. The bill would require the commission to consult with appropriate state agencies and other stakeholders, as specified, in preparing the research and recommendations and report described above.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.
Section 3092.7 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
3092.7.
(a) The California Transportation Commission, in consultation with the Transportation Agency, shall consolidate and prepare research and recommendations related to a road user charge or a mileage-based fee system. The research and recommendations shall incorporate existing findings from state and academic sources, including the report prepared by the Transportation Agency pursuant to Section 3092.5.
(b) By no later than January 1, 2027, the commission shall prepare and submit a report in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature on the research and recommendations described in subdivision (a). The report shall cover all of the following topics:
(1) The current and future inequities related to low-income drivers commuting farther in less efficient vehicles.
(2) The impact of a weight-per-mile fee for commercial and electric vehicles on the motor vehicle industry.
(3) Regional and state solutions for implementing a road user charge in California, including capturing out-of-state vehicles.
(c) In preparing the research and recommendations specified in subdivision (a) and the report described in subdivision (b), the commission shall consult with all of the following:
(1) Appropriate state agencies, which may include, but are not limited to, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and the Controller.
(2) Representatives of local governments.
(3) Regional transportation planning agencies.
(4) Privacy and data security experts.
(5) Equity and environmental justice organizations.
(6) Academic researchers.
(7) Transportation user groups.
(8) Organizations representing zero-emission vehicle owners and manufacturers.
(9) Any other stakeholders the commission deems appropriate.